Psychology of the Cancer bell

In oncology units around the world, patients are invited to stabilize the bell when they complete cancer treatments. This festive harmony may be accompanied by balloons, berries and chants to indicate relief, victory and closure. But with the development of cancer, understanding what these rituals mean, and who serves, and its unintended study.

The tradition of the bell

The tradition of the bell began in 1996 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, from the marine tradition by the Admiral Irf Le Mawen, who rang a copper bell after the completion of radiation therapy of his cancer. From there, the country’s cancer centers began to stabilize the bells as a way to patients to celebrate the end of radiation or chemotherapy.

Diagnostic and treatment experience can pressure individuals and families. As a traffic right (Van Gannep, 1909/1960), the bell becomes a symbol of celebrating the transition from one social condition (start treatment) to another (completion). The common rituals, such as the bell, aim to unify the survivors and their care providers in the celebration, and provide hope for others who are still in treatment. The cancer bell provides a structural means of confession, often the emotional version. But like any rituals, when it is defined tightly or restricted to a specific group or concentration, it can also be isolated.

When the bell brings pain

In many cancer treatment centers, the bell is a prominent essential player. The question becomes, “Will he bring hope or ring despair?”

Health care providers and employees now know the potential sides of the bell. For some patients, the traditional definition of treatment may be “completing” that cannot be achieved. This unintentionally draws a line between those who get his ringing and those who do not do it. Patients suffering from metastatic cancer, for life medicineOr managing late diseases, you may feel excluded, or even the wounded, by hearing the festive beats of others.

As Lindsey Zinck, PhD, RN, Senior Nursing Officer at the Absamun Cancer Center in Pence to treat For the rest of their lives, which will never have the opportunity to stabilize the bell in the traditional sense. We also had patients who had previously bell bell, then repeated cancer, and hearing the bell rings in the leakage wing raised sad or painful feelings. ”

Social comparison theoryThe Lyon Vestal engines in 1954 indicates that people reside their progress by comparing themselves to others. According to Zinck, “The bell may be a catalyst for some as a sign that recovery is possible, and for others, it may be frustrated, annoying and even frustrating.”

Without a thoughtful reformulation, the bell risk becomes a symbol of sadness and separation, not alive.

New search challenges assumptions

Research confirms that there may be unintended psychological consequences for the bell. A study of 2019 studied the effects of the bell ringing on 210 patients who complete radiotherapy (Williams et al., 2019). The study group included 107 bell rang patients, and 103 who did not do, as a monitoring group. Both groups witnessed the same amount of treatment. Using the “Kahneman et al., 1993” theory, the researchers assumed that the bell would improve patient memories of treatment by ending a high note (Williams et al, 2019).

Surprisingly, researchers found the opposite. Patients who ran the bell evaluated their distress at higher levels than those who did not do so, whether immediately after treatment and follow -up for 3 to 4 months (Williams Et al., 2019). The team concluded that the emotional excitement of a moment may have unintentionally increased from the memories of the treatment associated with treatment (Williams et al., 2019). They suggested using the bell at the beginning of treatment or finding alternative ways to celebrate the end of treatment that may avoid increasing emotional excitement (Williams Et Al., 2019).

These results indicate the need to reassess these rituals.

Revolving the bell as a symbol of hope and flexibility

To address these concerns, Penn Medicine, the Aprasson Cancer Center and other cancer centers develop more comprehensive standards for the bell’s two men. Melanie Zesa, BSN, RN, from Penn Presbyterian, and her leak employees re -imagined and moved the cancer bell. Zisa’s primary focus was to create an area of hope while remaining aware of the conditions of other patients. Zisa and its staff helped design a mural, called “The Wall Of Hope” that created a more special space for the bell distribution. Likewise, the Duke Cancer Center moved his bell to the outside to a garden and called it “The Bell of Hope”.

Nurses such as ZINCK and Zisa are now encouraged patients to determine their moments of bell. At their clinic, there is no longer an individual definition of success or “completion”. Patients can ring the bell for a positive examination, the beginning of a new treatment, or simply to gather hope to appear on a difficult day. Zisa also urges, “Every patient deserves to celebrate their personal attractions in any way they see it.”

In doing this, these new platforms are strengthened SteadfastnessAnd perseverance and courage. The focus is on the preparation and the ability to continue.

Towards a comprehensive celebration

The adoption of a more comprehensive vision provides cancer centers the opportunity to expand these important rituals. by Bonding The bell in more flexibility, the choice of the patient and the emotional awareness, the oncology difference can remain a symbol of empowerment, not exclusion.

Besides the bell, the treatment teams may offer a “elastic list” of meaningful options for patients to distinguish moments and meet their important health journey. Instead of one described rituals, patients can contribute to a joint technical composition, symbolic flower cultivation, register a hope message, or hold a special ceremony with the family. Such a list honors the diversity of experiments and enabling patients to identify and celebrate their courage and commitment to deep personal ways. The goal may be to call for recognition and support walking in the difficult and unexpected path of cancer, with confirmation, “I am perseverance.